An apparent altercation at the Great Mall in Milpitas drew a heavy police response and a false report of a shooting inside the mall late Friday, authorities said.
Milpitas police, Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies and several emergency vehicles responded to "a report of an altercation where someone brandished a knife" at about 5:30 p.m. at the mall in 400 block of Great Mall Dr.
The reported shooting happened inside Burlington Coat Factory "shortly after" the alleged incident involving a knife. "Officers have checked the business and there is no indication a shooting occurred inside," police tweeted. Due to "conflicting information," officers checked the entire Great Mall out of "an abundance of caution" and didn't locate any victims from the reported incidents.
"They're clearing out the mall," one man evacuated from the Great Mall told KPIX. "I was in there shopping and police officers ran by with guns drawn saying 'Take shelter, shelter-in-place.'"
The man did not hear gunshots prior to seeing the officers, he added.
KCBS Radio's Keith Menconi reported employees told him "there was some commotion near entrance three," located on the south side of the Great Mall.
An overhead helicopter view from KPIX showed a heavy police presence outside the mall roughly an hour after the incidents were first reported, along with many officers in SWAT gear. Several people could be seen leaving at least one exit of the Great Mall in a single-file line, however it wasn't clear if they were shoppers.
For a short time, VTA light rail and BART service nearby were halted.
Twitter users warned others to stay away from the mall, with video appearing to show a heavy police presence. KCBS Radio has reached out to Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and the Great Mall but has not yet heard back.
Milpitas Police Department Capt. John Torrez said "two or three" individuals were detained, suspected of being involved in the reported fight.
The incident is under investigation.
A similar situation unfolded on Dec. 19, 2020, when a man accidentally shot himself at the Great Mall, causing panic and prompting a lockdown.
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